Coronavirus: Washington governor says face coverings mandatory statewide

SEATTLE – Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that face coverings will be mandatory statewide.

Face coverings or masks will be required in indoor public spaces and outdoors where people can not maintain 6 feet of social distancing, KIRO-TV reported.

During a news conference, Inslee said his mandate would go into effect Friday. It will be a misdemeanor violation for those who violate the rule.

Last week, California required people to wear masks in most indoor settings and outdoors when distancing isn’t possible.

The latest statewide death toll as reported by the Department of Health had reached 1,276 deaths among 28,870 confirmed coronavirus cases as of 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Inslee released updated health and safety guidance Thursday for religious and faith-based services as more counties move to the next phases of the state’s Safe Start recovery plan.

For counties that are still in phase 1, outdoor services on an organization’s property can be held with up to 100 individuals, excluding organization staff.

For counties in modified phase 1 and in phase 2, indoor services can be held at a place of worship with up to 25% capacity or up to 200 people, whichever is less, as long as six feet of physical distancing can be achieved between households.

In phase 3, organizations can hold indoor services at a place of worship with up to 50% capacity or up to 400 people, whichever is less, as long as six feet of physical distancing can be achieved between households.

All organizations are required to comply with COVID-19 safety practices.

Inslee expired the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order on May 31 and said the state will move to a “Safe Start” county-by-county phased reopening approach on Monday.

Under the “Safe Start” plan, each county will start Monday in their current phase. However, individual counties will be able to apply to the secretary of health to move between the phases or add new business activities.

Inslee said applications must be submitted by a county executive. If a county does not have a county executive, it must be submitted with the approval of the County Council/Commission.

Inslee said the secretary of health will evaluate each application based on how their data compares to certain targets. Click here for a complete breakdown.